The　numerical　manifold　method　(NMM)　is　suitable　for　the　solution　of　both　continuous　and　discontinuous　problems　in　geotechnical　engineering.　In　the　conventional　NMM,　the　contact　between　blocks　is　treated　with　the　open-close　iteration,　which　needs　to　fix　or　remove　spurious　springs　between　two　blocks　in　contact　and　to　assume　properly　the　normal　stiffness　and　the　tangential　stiffness　(the　penalty　parameters).　Unreasonable　values　of　stiffness　would　result　in　numerical　problems.　To　avoid　the　penalty　parameters,　contacts　are　treated　in　a　direct　way　in　which　contact　forces　are　primal　variables.　Numerical　examples　have　confirmed　the　correctness　and　feasibility　of　the　proposed　procedure.　(C)　2016　American　Society　of　Civil　Engineers.